From dialysis to transplantation: a 5-year longitudinal study on self-reported quality of life

Background: Little is known how health related quality of life (HRQOL) change in the transition from dialysis to renal transplantation (RTX). Longitudinal data addressing the patient-related outcomes are scarce, and particularly data regarding kidney-specific HRQOL are lacking. Thus, the aim of the current study was to assess HRQOL in patients followed from dialysis to RTX. Furthermore, to compare HRQOL in RTX patients and the general population. Methods: In a prospective study, HRQOL was measured in a cohort of 110 patients (median age 53.5 (IQR 39-62) years, GFR 54 (45-72) ml/min/1.73 m(2)) in dialysis and after RTX using the self-administered Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short Form version 1.3 (KDQOL-SF). Generic HRQOL in the RTX patients was compared to that of the general population (n = 5903) using the SF-36. Clinical important change after RTX was defined as difference in HRQOL of SD/2. Results: Follow-up time was 55 (IQR 50-59) months, and time after RTX was 41 (34-51) months. Four of nine domains in kidney-specific HRQOL improved after RTX, i.e. burden of kidney disease, effect of kidney disease, symptoms and work status. In SF-36, general health, vitality, social function and role physical improved after RTX, but none of the domains improved sufficiently to be regarded as clinically relevant change. There were highly significant differences in HRQOL between RTX patients and the general population after adjustment for age and gender for all items of SF-36 except for bodily pain and mental health. Conclusions: HRQOL improved in the transition from dialysis to transplantation, but clinical relevant change was only obtained in the kidney specific domains. HRQOL was perceived considerably poorer in RTX patients than in the general population. Our observations point to the need of improving HRQOL even after RTX, and should encourage further longitudinal research and clinical attention during treatment shift.